Get a USB Wireless LAN adapter 'dongle'. This small device, about the size of your thumb, provides WiFi capability to your computer. You will need this even if your computer has integrated wireless. For best compatibility, get one that includes the 802.11b and 802.11g standard. Check or for good prices—simple ones, which are quite effective at close range, cost around $15 to $20USD.
The shape is important. For cost effectiveness, look for a small thumb-shaped device. Larger 'squashed mouse' models ($50-60USD) are generally more sensitive and powerful. Although they may be harder to mount, they perform better in more demanding setups. Get a USB passive extension cable.
You want a Type A (male) to Type A (female )cable. (you can find these at the dollar store, your local computer store, or Radio Shack). This will connect the USB WiFi adapter to your computer's USB port. The antenna is directional, so you'll need to position it so it has a direct line of sight view of the wireless access point. Make sure your cable is long enough to position it where you need, up to a maximum of 15 feet (4.6 m) (5m). You can link multiple extension cables together if you need.
Active USB extenders ($10USD) allow further cable runs, which may even allow elevated outdoor antenna placement. Get a mesh-covered dish. The easiest to use is an Asian 'scoop' cooking utensil (shaped like a wok, but mesh) used to fry things—it's the perfect shape and conveniently comes with a long wooden handle!. Other options include sieves, steamers, pot lids, and lamp shades—as long as they are dish-shaped and metal.
Yagi Wifi Extender
Any parabolic piece of metal mesh will work—bigger means a better signal, but harder to carry around. Larger options include discarded DirectTV dishes or mesh covered umbrellas, and although these should give more signal boost, mounting difficulties and wind resistance tend to make about 12 inch (30 cm) (300mm) diameter the most practical. Flexible stalk desk lamps allow these to be neatly mounted & positioned. Assemble the system. Attach the WiFi dongle and USB extension cable in the dish with twist-ties, tape, or hot melt glue. You want the dongle at the focal point 'hot spot' apex of the dish—radio signals come in and bounce toward the center, a few fingers above the surface of the dish.
The best dongle location spot can be found by simple experiment. One aiming method involves covering the dish with aluminum foil and watching it reflect sunshine—the spot with the most light is the dish's hot spot. You may need a short support stick to get the dongle off the surface of the dish into this position. Alternative support methods use string tied across the face of the dish like a spider web, hollowed out plastic garden hose fittings, or even chop sticks!
In today's fast-paced world, Internet access has become a critical link to finding products and services. Consumers need high-speed connections to utilize search engines, retailer sites, product review sites and other resources to make intelligent decisions on how to best spend the household budget.
More people are beginning to rely on connections to access the Internet. Wi-Fi is available in many areas where cabled lines are impractical or unavailable. It is a simple and fast way to provide Internet access across a specific area.
On the flip side, the downfall of Wi-Fi is the signal can weaken quickly from competing signals as well as physical obstacles and other challenges. When Wi-Fi slows down to a crawl, frustrations mount and people begin to look for other alternatives. One popular solution is to build a Wi-Fi Yagi. This is a special antenna that can eliminate bottlenecks and speed up access. Stronger Signals with Wi-Fi Yagi Antenna A allows Internet users to get stronger signals from existing sources. In addition, access points further away will now be within reach. This opens up a wide variety of opportunities, and is an ideal solution for some of the following situations:.
Extending Internet access to a remote building or home. Extending Internet access to another office building a long distance from the source.
Build Yagi Tv Antenna
Extending Internet access across waterways to a remote island. Providing connectivity when installing a cable is not an option. Material Needed for Wi-Fi Yagi Antenna This project is simple and can be completed in a few hours. A computer laser or inkjet printer will be needed to print a template. Other items needed included:.
Scissors. Some light, flat wood pieces about the size of a stick used for ice cream bars. White glue and crazy glue. Metric ruler. Solid metal wires.
Pliers Wi-Fi Yagi Antenna Construction Enter the term 'Yagi modeler' in a search engine to find a Java modeler applet which can generate a template for a 15-element Yagi. It is critical to get the correct scale.
The template may be longer than a normal letter-size piece of paper, so use legal paper if possible, or print it in two parts and line them up. The lines of the template mark where the elements of the will be positioned. The elements are made from the stiff wire or paper clips. Template for W-Fi Yagi Antenna Make sure the print out is at the right scale. The sets of numbers along each element represent the length of the element and the distance from the beginning of the diagram to the element's position.
Both measurements are in millimeters. Using a metric ruler, check one or two of the numbers to make sure the template is properly scaled. Trim the wires or paper clips with the pliers or a tool called a nibbler. They should be cut to match the element lengths on the template. Glue them to the template with the to keep them situated. Cut the ice cream bar sticks with scissors to create pieces that will fit in between each wire.
Glue them to the template with white glue. Work from element labeled number 15 down to number two. Wi-Fi Yagi Antenna Elements The number two element on the is key - it is called the 'driven element.'
Wifi Antenna
It connects to the USB connection. This element is not a straight wire like the others, but is a loop. A paper clip is perfect for this element. Place it so it loops around but so that the ends do not touch. Glue it down with super glue. Glue another layer of ice cream bar sticks with white glue reinforcement along the top. Once dry, tear away the template.
The idea is that the examples you find online or in VBA documentation give you a head start. In fact, some of the code that you find might have bugs or mistakes. That does not mean that free and well-thought-out code is on the Web waiting for you to come along. Tp177 micro example programs in visual basic.
USB Connection for Wi-Fi Yagi Antenna Solder a USB connector or pigtail to the open ends of the looped number two 'driven' element. Plug the into your computer and check the reception. Move it around to locate the best position for maximum reception. There should be a considerable gain in reception over a standard or adapter.
This is a simple project that will result in stronger Wi-Fi signals. One key is to make sure the template is scaled so the measurements are the same as shown on the printout. The distance between the elements should be accurate.
How to Buy Wi-Fi Yagi Antennas on eBay For those who need the materials to build a Yagi antenna or just want to purchase one, eBay is a great place to look. Just use the search bar located at the top of the page to find a specific item, such as 'Yagi antenna' or 'super glue,' then use the categories that appear to the left of the results to further filter down the search. Remember to always look at the seller's rating and history before making a purchase.
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